It is with great pleasure and honor that I am standing in front of you today. On my behalf and as the Coordinator General of the Organization for Peace Justice and Development in Rwanda (OPJDR), I would like to congratulate you on your efforts to hold the Youth Summit.t is with great pleasure and honor that I am standing in front of you today. On my behalf and as the Coordinator General of the Organization for Peace Justice and Development in Rwanda (OPJDR), I would like to congratulate you on your efforts to hold the Youth Summit.

First of all I would like to thank all the organizers, especially the members of OPJDR and the Young Man and Women who relentlessly followed this initiative.As some of you may already know, the idea of Youth Summit was born during the 2000 OPJDR Assembly held in this very city of Raleigh.

When the OPJDR started this initiative, the idea was that it is important that Young Rwandan Refugees and Young Rwandan Americans be involved in efforts geared towards reconciling Rwandans, improving security in the Great Lakes Region of Africa and orderly repatriating of refugees and most of all, resolving one of the most tragic events of the 20th century.

The specific objective was to involve the Youth in the formulation and implementation of appropriate policies to resolve the crisis in Rwanda and the Great Lakes Region of Africa. OPJDR members were convinced that as long as the Rwandan Youth are not conscious of the fact that until the Refugee crisis in the Great Lakes Region of Africa is not resolved, no durable peace, security, democracy, and development cannot be implemented or even initiated. assistance

My fellow Rwandans,

Dear Friends,

Ten years ago, a tragedy of unimaginable proportions struck Rwanda and all Rwandans, from all ethnic, social, and economical background. Children as well as adults, women and men, Rwandans from Southern, Northern, Central, Eastern and Western Rwanda, even people without Rwanda were affected. Nowadays, the tragedy continues to reach unprecedented proportions.

The Rwandan tragedy has entered in a vicious circle, without an end in the foreseeable future. The Rwandan tragedy ignored borders. As a matter of facts, the Rwandan tragedy has now blazed the entire Great Lakes Region of Africa, creating one of, if not the most, horrific catastrophes on the Earth in the 20 th Century.

Seven years ago, in 1994, we thought that the tragedy had reached its peak and that the times to come would only be better.It is within this climate of optimism that the Organization for Peace, Justice, and Development was created by some of the first Rwandan Refugees to enter the United States after October 1990, including myself.

No one could have foreseen the magnitude of this human and ecological catastrophe that was going to follow. The scale of massacres, diseases, wars, displacements, human rights abuses, war crimes, and destruction of the ecosystem overshadow even the most pessimistic forecasts.

The Organization for Peace, Justice, and Development was created in 1995 and incorporated in the State of Delaware on November 10, 1995. I am happy to find that most of the forefront founders are still active. Some of them were still students. The majority was Refugees. I can't thank enough all those Rwandans who gave their energy and resources to make OPJDR become a reality. I am especially glad to see that the four individuals who started with the idea are here today. My friends, brothers and sisters, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

When we created the OPJDR, we decided to face the challenge of promoting the respect of human Rights and cultural, educational, and economic development in Rwanda and the Great Lakes Region. Little did we know that our dear motherland and our beloved region was going to suffer at unlimited proportions.

We promised ourselves to work together as Rwandans and friends of Rwanda, when Rwandans were tearing each other apart. We agreed to do whatever it takes to achieve our goals. Today, after almost five years, I can proudly say that we have discovered, within OPJDR, the benefits of working together, and the discipline, selflessness, and joy of working for the common good of the Rwandan and Great Lakes Region people.

The results may be found in the hope we have given to Rwandan people both inside and in the Diaspora and the actions we have undertaken in favor of some of them.

The OPJDR has made friends, has opened some doors for Rwandans, and has started to educate the World about the tragedy in Rwanda and the Great Lakes Region of Africa. Thus, the OPJDR has sought and obtained aid for some Rwandan Organizations, has participated in and led debates in International media and Organizations, and has been in close contact with various Non-Governments Organizations, etc. Now the OPJDR has extended its activities from the USA to around the World. This was accomplished with limited resources, but with determination and focus.

The Organization for Peace, Justice, and Development in Rwanda (OPJDR) is an apolitical and non-profit organization. It has neither a political affiliation nor a political motive or agenda. The mission of OPJDR is to inform, educate, and mobilize Rwandans, and friends of Rwanda to work together towards sustainable peace and justice in order to build a better Rwanda and the Great Lakes Region of Africa, especially during this tragedy that the Rwandan Nation and the People in the Great Lakes Region of Africa have experienced since October 1990.

The OPJDR focuses on the social, humanitarian, and economical situation prevailing inside Rwanda, the Great Lakes Region of Africa, and among the Rwandan communities around the World.

The OPJDR does not discriminate. It accepts anyone who shares its vision regardless of the gender, color, race, ethnic background, national origin, or any other criteria. The OPJDR is open to any Rwandan or friend of Rwanda. Anyone who share its ideals of peace and justice for sustainable development in Rwanda is invited to join the OPJDR.

Since its creation, the OPJDR has rejected regionalism, sexism, and ethnic discrimination. Thus, since its creation the OPJDR has included Rwandans from all regions, ethnic groups, and gender and friends of Rwanda.

The OPJDR foundation is the reconciliation and unity among Rwandans at all costs. Without that the mission of OPJDR would be impossible.The OPJDR is convinced that people of the Great Lakes Region of Africa can reconcile, that all ethnic groups, tribes, clans and regions may build common nations, be good neighbors or partners and live together harmoniously.

From that perspective the OPJDR urge all Rwandans and friends of Rwanda to work together to bring peace and Justice in Rwanda and the Great Lakes Region of Africa.

The Organization for Peace, Justice, and Development in Rwanda (OPJDR) is ready to work with Rwandans and friends of Rwanda in exploring and implementing this approach.

The OPJDR has taken note of the existence of multiple political parties working to create a united country, one and indivisible, independent and sovereign, to bring back the rule of law. The OPJDR will work with these political parties as long as they want to promote peace, justice, and development. However, the OPJDR will always reject any form of dependence to or cooptation by political parties.

The OPJDR rejects violence as way of reaching or maintaining power. However, the OPJDR recognizes that the People, persecuted, oppressed, or enslaved by ruthless leaders, has the right to defend itself by all available means, as long as the result is the institution of a state of law where fundamental, universal, and cultural human rights are respected.

The OPJDR has taken note of the existence of multiple political parties working to create a united country, one and indivisible, independent and sovereign, to bring back the rule of law. The OPJDR will work with these political parties as long as they want to promote peace, justice, and development. However, the OPJDR will always reject any form of dependence to or cooptation by political parties.

The OPJDR rejects violence as way of reaching or maintaining power. However, the OPJDR recognizes that the People, persecuted, oppressed, or enslaved by ruthless leaders, has the right to defend itself by all available means, as long as the result is the institution of a state of law where fundamental, universal, and cultural human rights are respected.

Dear friends,

Fellow Rwandans,

This meeting is a turning point. Today, the tragedy in the Great Lakes Region of Africa continues unabated. Refugees and internally displaced people are on the move every day. Waves of new refugees and internally displaced people are being generated. The majority of these are women, children, and elderly. Caritative organizations, and International Organizations supposed to care for refugees have abandoned them. People from the Great Lakes Region of Africa are desperate.

Recent reliable statistics show that the Rwandan social structure has completely changed with women representing more that 70% of the population, way up from about 50% in 1990, and a large proportion of Rwandan families lead by teenage orphans or widow mothers. After seeing their husband, brothers, and sons assassinated, murdered, jailed or sent to serve as canon fodder, Women have now the burden to care for the families alone. The future of Rwanda and the Great Lakes Region of Africa will unfortunately rest mostly on women shoulders. Dear Sisters, you have a very big responsibility. And OPJDR has to put your concerns, your ideas, the actions in favor of women high on its agenda.

Along with women issues come youth aspirations. Young people are the future and the future has already started. I see many young people here today. The OPJDR will rely on your ideas, energy, and motivations to formulate, design, and execute actions that will promote a better future for all Rwandans, especially the Youth.

Despite the desperation and feeling of overwhelming challenges, and especially because of these challenges, the OPJDR has to continue its mission. That is why we are here today. To discuss ways to address some of the problems, challenges, pain, and tragedy affecting our beloved people from the Great Lakes Region of Africa.

During this General Assembly we will learn about our past experience. But most importantly we will decide on the future course of actions.

Dear friends,Fellow Rwandans,

During the five years of its existence, the OPJDR has always sought the unity among Rwandan. It is within this context that we have approached other Rwandan Organizations to unite our forces, in order to better meet the challenges ahead. Today, I am happy to announce that our efforts have started to pay off.

Please join me to welcome the new OPJDR members who have decided to integrate their organizations within OPJDR. Let us also take this opportunity to welcome the members who joined during this year. Together we will be stronger, more productive, and definitely better. With these new members, we will redefine the future of OPJDR.

Among the questions we should answer are:

How to assist millions of Refugees in the Great Lakes Region- How to assist Rwandan communities in the Diaspora.

How to work with other Rwandans, Africans, friends of Rwanda or Africa to improve the welfare of the people from Great Lakes Region of Africa.

What is the best approach to bringing security, peace and Justice in the Great Lakes Region- How to address issues and challenges faced by women and the Youth.

All suggestions to improve the way OPJDR works, its structure, organization, or mission are welcome. The OPJDR believes in and is strongly attached to the free flow of ideas, information, and constructive criticism and the diversity of its components.

Dear friends,

Fellow Rwandans,

Time is running out. Everyday, people are dying in the Great Lakes Region of Africa. From endless and unjustifiable wars, massacres, assassinations, hunger, malnutrition, lack of shelters, disease, such as AIDS, or just despair. Most of these ills and deaths are due to bad governance, ruthless and corrupt leaders, and criminal regimes.

The OPJDR has no miracle pill but can help alleviate the suffering. This is our challenge. To help alleviate the suffering of the people of the Great Lakes Region that has endured and continues to endure the most horrific tragedy of the 20th Century.

This is the challenge we need to keep in mind as we are ready to redesign our strategy and methods. I would like to conclude my speech by wishing you a very productive assembly and a very wonderful stay in North Carolina.

In OPJDR Programs, the Youth is of the utmost concern. In fact, all of you present here are resettled in USAor are US citizens. Most of you enjoy relative good welfare and security, and can hope for a better future.

However, we allface several problems:

Firstly, weface the problemof uprooting, isolation, social identification.This problem is especially crucial on the Youth which is caught between adjusting to their new lifestyle and the social constraints of their social and cultural background.

Secondly, those who arerefugees have left families and friends behind, especially in refugee camps in Africa. The refugees living in Africa have many problems. Most of these refugees are certainly condemned to live in the fringes of the modern society. These perspectives put an additional toll on the mental welfare of the Rwandan refugees living in developed countries.

Thirdly, the Rwandan tragedy is far from over. Young Rwandans, especially refugees, have a very important responsibility in resolving the conflict, promoting reconciliation and rebuilding social, economical, technical, and cultural structure.

That is why the Youth is very important, but at the same time has soo much responsibility in improving the Rwanda of tomorrow. And that is why I invite you to join theorganizations such as the OPJDRwhere you can make a difference.

I would like to conclude my speech by wishing you a very productive Summit and a very wonderful stay in North Carolina.

I thank you very much.

Felicien Kanyamibwa, Ph.D.

Coordinator, Organization for Peace, Justice, and Development in Rwanda, Inc.

Raleigh, North Carolina, June 30, 2001

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